Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett may be the only rock star to have ever given an interview wearing fangs, and if so, there was a reason. The self-proclaimed horror nerd released his first book, "Too Much Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett Collection," a 224-page coffee table tome co-written by Steffan Chirazi, containing pictures of 300 items in the guitarist's vast collection of vintage horror posters, masks, toys and other collectibles. He held a book launch and Day of the Dead party at Public Works nightclub in the Mission on Nov. 1, attended by hundreds of fans in playfully ghoulish attire. Since age 5, he has been a fan of creepy stuff because "it was something I could relate to more than Disney movies," he said in a brief chat in the club's VIP room. "Horror is exciting and adventurous. It's a reffirmation of my existence, not to get too existential." Would he count playing stadium concerts in front of 80,000 fans terrifying? "No," he said with a laugh. "That's easy."

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett may be the only rock star to have ever given an interview wearing fangs, and if so, there was a reason. The self-proclaimed horror nerd released his first book, "Too Much Horror

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett may be the only rock star to have... Photo-3681921.51761 - SFGate

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The Day of the Dead party at Public Works on Nov.1 doubled as a book launch party for Kirk Hammett's new coffee table book on his horror memoribilia collection, "Horror Business," and gave Casey Castille and Princess Pandora a chance to strut their stuff. less

The Day of the Dead party at Public Works on Nov.1 doubled as a book launch party for Kirk Hammett's new coffee table book on his horror memoribilia collection, "Horror Business," and gave Casey Castille and ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

The Day of the Dead party at Public Works on Nov.1 doubled as a... Photo-3682092.51761 - SFGate

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Burlesque dancer Bunny Pistol wore a sombrero on her head at the book launch party for Kirk Hammett's new tome on horror memoribilia, but used the chapeau later to cover her lady parts during a saucy dance onstage -- a warmup act of sorts -- for hundreds of fans gathered to see the Metallica guitarist and special guest band "Death Angel" at the event at Public Works in the Mission on Nov. 1. less

Burlesque dancer Bunny Pistol wore a sombrero on her head at the book launch party for Kirk Hammett's new tome on horror memoribilia, but used the chapeau later to cover her lady parts during a saucy dance ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Burlesque dancer Bunny Pistol wore a sombrero on her head at the... Photo-3682137.51761 - SFGate

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Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett (right) wears fangs to a launch of his new book, "Horror Business," and Day of the Dead party at Public Works nightclub on Nov. 1, coordinated by club promoter Sebastien (at left.) Hammett said he wanted to share his collection with other "horror nerds" of the world. What makes something collectible? "If it moves you, it's a collectible, if you feel passionate about it, it's a collectible. You can't collect wrong." less

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett (right) wears fangs to a launch of his new book, "Horror Business," and Day of the Dead party at Public Works nightclub on Nov. 1, coordinated by club promoter Sebastien (at ... more

Blood red makes a good color for the cover of Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's new book, "Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett Collection." The book, released this fall, contains 300 pictures of items in his vast trove of antique posters, masks, toys and other creepy objects. A book party was held Nov. 1 at Public Works in San Francisco. less

Blood red makes a good color for the cover of Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's new book, "Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett Collection." The book, released this fall, contains 300 pictures of items in his ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Blood red makes a good color for the cover of Metallica guitarist... Photo-3682007.51761 - SFGate

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Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's book party on Nov. 1 at Public Works nightclub for his "Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett Collection" featured a display of a small portion of the hundreds of items in his collection. He said he considers his vintage posters and objects to be works of art, much as others consider paintings and sculpture to be art, and he displays them on the walls of his home. Is his wife as big a fan of the horror memoribilia motif? "She puts up with it," he said with a smile. less

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's book party on Nov. 1 at Public Works nightclub for his "Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett Collection" featured a display of a small portion of the hundreds of items in his ... more

Pieces from Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's horror memoribilia collection were on display at a launch party for his new book, "Horror Business," at Public Works nightclub on Nov. 1. Co-author Steffan Chirazi, who has known Hammett since 1983, said the guitarist's collection has been growing for years and that the book project began as a way to document its depth and breadth. less

Pieces from Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's horror memoribilia collection were on display at a launch party for his new book, "Horror Business," at Public Works nightclub on Nov. 1. Co-author Steffan ... more

Be careful where you sit at horror parties. A woman who identified herself as Ursula Boots gets the shock treatment at the Day of the Dead book launch party for "Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett Collection," a new book about the Metallica guitarist's horror memoribilia collection. less

Be careful where you sit at horror parties. A woman who identified herself as Ursula Boots gets the shock treatment at the Day of the Dead book launch party for "Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett Collection," a ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Be careful where you sit at horror parties. A woman who identified... Photo-3682085.51761 - SFGate

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Is he the patron saint of shackled snorkelers? Carrie Smith and Jon Mendle get into the costumed fun at the Day of the Dead party at Public Works nightclub Nov. 1, which was also a book launch party for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's new book on horror memoribilia, co-written by Steffan Chirazi. less

Is he the patron saint of shackled snorkelers? Carrie Smith and Jon Mendle get into the costumed fun at the Day of the Dead party at Public Works nightclub Nov. 1, which was also a book launch party for ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Is he the patron saint of shackled snorkelers? Carrie Smith and Jon... Photo-3682103.51761 - SFGate

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The string metal band "Judgement Day" performed for hundreds of guests at a Day of the Dead/book launch party for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's new book, "Horror Business," released this fall and documenting his trove of scary masks, movie posters and other horror-ble things. less

The string metal band "Judgement Day" performed for hundreds of guests at a Day of the Dead/book launch party for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's new book, "Horror Business," released this fall and ... more

Marlo Mosser and Antony Thier come dressed for the Day of the Dead party to celebrate Kirk Hammett's new book on horror memoribilia. Thier said he was a satyr; hard to know what Mosser's costume is, but in real life, they have a different uniform -- sweat pants and Lycra -- needed for their work as personal trainers. less

Marlo Mosser and Antony Thier come dressed for the Day of the Dead party to celebrate Kirk Hammett's new book on horror memoribilia. Thier said he was a satyr; hard to know what Mosser's costume is, but in real ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Marlo Mosser and Antony Thier come dressed for the Day of the Dead... Photo-3682231.51761 - SFGate

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Women in black, chains and big hair: You expected something else at a heavy metal event? Interior designer Tiffany Walker and personal trainers Keirsten Wingo, Shianne Lombard and Marlo Mosser get into the dress-up spirit at the book launch party with Day of the Dead theme for Kirk Hammett's new horror book on Nov. 1 at Public Works. less

Women in black, chains and big hair: You expected something else at a heavy metal event? Interior designer Tiffany Walker and personal trainers Keirsten Wingo, Shianne Lombard and Marlo Mosser get into the ... more

Holy heavy metal heroes, Batman! Eric Perez (left) said Sam Schmucker had these costumes in his closet (believe it or not) and wore them to the Day of the Dead party for Kirk Hammett's new horror book, Nov. 1 at Public Works in San Francisco. less

Holy heavy metal heroes, Batman! Eric Perez (left) said Sam Schmucker had these costumes in his closet (believe it or not) and wore them to the Day of the Dead party for Kirk Hammett's new horror book, Nov. 1 ... more

He's the kind of guy you don't bring home to mother: Chris Noone gets serious about his Day of the Dead look at the book launch party for Kirk Hammett's new horror book on Nov. 1. We hear stage blood is actually hard to get out of clothing. Laundry tips, anyone? less

He's the kind of guy you don't bring home to mother: Chris Noone gets serious about his Day of the Dead look at the book launch party for Kirk Hammett's new horror book on Nov. 1. We hear stage blood is ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

He's the kind of guy you don't bring home to mother:... Photo-3682310.51761 - SFGate

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Why cover up with a costume when a piece of tattoo art makes a decorative touch? Christina Ban Strallen at the Day of the Dead party for Kirk Hammett's new horror book, held Nov. 1 at Public Works in San Francisco. less

Why cover up with a costume when a piece of tattoo art makes a decorative touch? Christina Ban Strallen at the Day of the Dead party for Kirk Hammett's new horror book, held Nov. 1 at Public Works in San ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Why cover up with a costume when a piece of tattoo art makes a... Photo-3682334.51761 - SFGate

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A crew from 7X7 magazine gets into the party fun at the Day of the Dead fete for Kirk Hammett and his new horror book at Public Works Nov. 1. From left to right: Tashi Barnett, Jeremy Paz, Laura Mason, Adam Saaks. less

A crew from 7X7 magazine gets into the party fun at the Day of the Dead fete for Kirk Hammett and his new horror book at Public Works Nov. 1. From left to right: Tashi Barnett, Jeremy Paz, Laura Mason, Adam ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

A crew from 7X7 magazine gets into the party fun at the Day of the... Photo-3682350.51761 - SFGate

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Who is that masked man at the Kirk Hammett book launch party at Public Works on Nov. 1? Answer: Steffan Chirazi, the renowned writer of all things heavy metal, who co-authored "Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett Collection," a 224-page book on Hammett's horror memoribilia collection. "If you really want to know who Kirk is, read the conversations and the captions, which Kirk wrote himself, and you'll learn more about him than any 500-page biography," Chirazi said. "His heart, and soul and personality are found in two things: his guitar-playing, and his collection." less

Who is that masked man at the Kirk Hammett book launch party at Public Works on Nov. 1? Answer: Steffan Chirazi, the renowned writer of all things heavy metal, who co-authored "Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Who is that masked man at the Kirk Hammett book launch party at... Photo-3682402.51761 - SFGate

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Green Day's Mike Dirnt (in bowler) was among several Bay Area musicians to attend the book release party for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's new publication on horror memoribilia, an event held at Public Works nightclub Nov. 1. "The fact that people get a chance to take a look and see how strange Kirk is is great. He's into a lot of the classy, deeper, more beautiful part of gore," said Dirnt, who bought a copy of the book before the party. " It's not just chainsaws -- it's sociopaths with love." Dirnt is pictured with club promoter Sebastien, who co-organized the event. less

Green Day's Mike Dirnt (in bowler) was among several Bay Area musicians to attend the book release party for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's new publication on horror memoribilia, an event held at Public ... more

Yikes. Statues of horror figures and people dressed in Day of the Dead costumes were hard to tell apart at the book launch party for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's new "Horror Business" book on his horror memoribilia collection, held Nov. 1 at Public Works nightclub. less

Yikes. Statues of horror figures and people dressed in Day of the Dead costumes were hard to tell apart at the book launch party for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's new "Horror Business" book on his horror ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Yikes. Statues of horror figures and people dressed in Day of the... Photo-3682177.51761 - SFGate

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What's a heavy metal event without a few souvenirs? Jacob McNamara, Robyn Miller and Natelie Barringer browse Kirk Hammett's new book at the book launch party for "Horror Business," held Nov. 1 at Public Works nightclub. less

What's a heavy metal event without a few souvenirs? Jacob McNamara, Robyn Miller and Natelie Barringer browse Kirk Hammett's new book at the book launch party for "Horror Business," held Nov. 1 at Public Works ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

What's a heavy metal event without a few souvenirs? Jacob... Photo-3682183.51761 - SFGate

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Sarah Dellinges and Reyka Osburn make a frighteningly stunning pair, at the book launch party for Kirk Hammett's new horror collection picture book on Nov. 1 at Public Works in the Mission.

Sarah Dellinges and Reyka Osburn make a frighteningly stunning pair, at the book launch party for Kirk Hammett's new horror collection picture book on Nov. 1 at Public Works in the Mission.

String metal band Judgement Day from Oakland performs at the Day of the Dead book launch party for Kirk Hammett's coffee table book on his horror memoribilia collection, held Nov. 1 at Public Works. A fire arts performer twirled lighted batons and Death Angel played later for hundreds of fans who gathered to support the Metallica guitarist's first publication. less

String metal band Judgement Day from Oakland performs at the Day of the Dead book launch party for Kirk Hammett's coffee table book on his horror memoribilia collection, held Nov. 1 at Public Works. A fire arts ... more

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

String metal band Judgement Day from Oakland performs at the Day of... Photo-3682227.51761 - SFGate

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Dude, I just love how this opens up your eyes. Taylor Reid paints Jamal Bisher's face at the book release party for Kirk Hammett at Public Works Nov. 1.

Dude, I just love how this opens up your eyes. Taylor Reid paints Jamal Bisher's face at the book release party for Kirk Hammett at Public Works Nov. 1.

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Dude, I just love how this opens up your eyes. Taylor Reid paints... Photo-3682441.51761 - SFGate

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Triple trouble: Marc Paschke, club promoter Sebastian and writer Steffan Chirazi at the Day of the Dead-themed book release party for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's "Horror Business." The book was co-authored by Chirazi. less

Triple trouble: Marc Paschke, club promoter Sebastian and writer Steffan Chirazi at the Day of the Dead-themed book release party for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett's "Horror Business." The book was ... more

If there's Frieda Kahlo, where's Diego (Rivera) of the Dead? Lena Mullins, Elaine Paschke, Rebecca Bucher, Paul Deroulhac and Jennifer Masdo at the Day of the Dead party for Kirk Hammett's new book, "Horror Business," at Public Works Nov. 1. less

If there's Frieda Kahlo, where's Diego (Rivera) of the Dead? Lena Mullins, Elaine Paschke, Rebecca Bucher, Paul Deroulhac and Jennifer Masdo at the Day of the Dead party for Kirk Hammett's new book, "Horror ... more

Only stuffed shirts and spoilsports believe that adults shouldn't wear costumes for Halloween, or the Day of the Dead. Paul Deroulhac, Lena Mullins and Rebecca Bucher let their imaginations win the day at the costumed book release party for Kirk Hammett's new horror book on Nov. 1 at Public Works in the Mission. less

Only stuffed shirts and spoilsports believe that adults shouldn't wear costumes for Halloween, or the Day of the Dead. Paul Deroulhac, Lena Mullins and Rebecca Bucher let their imaginations win the day at the ... more